Allegiant

Allegiant

Format: Book

Author: Veronica Roth

Released: October 22, 2013

Certificate: Teens & up

Note: 'Allegiant' is the final book in the 'Divergent' trilogy, but this is a spoiler-free review.

My rating:  ★★★★★

"When offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she's known, Tris is ready. But Tris's new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature – and of herself – while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love." (Extract from amazon.co.uk)

I would like to start this off by saying the 'Divergent' trilogy is one of the best series I have read, so if you have stumbled upon this somehow I highly suggest reading them, especially if you are a fan of 'The Hunger Games', 'Gone', or any other distopian adventures. 

I believe Allegiant is an outstanding end to this series. Veronica Roth delivers, yet again, beautiful writing which gives you every emotion you could possibly think of. This book will make you want to cry, scream, and punch everybody inside the story. But give them justice. They have their reasons.

And, my God, are they reasons. The plot to Allegiant is so cleverly designed - filled with plot twists that will make you gasp in terror and grab your hair in endless frustration. It is packed with non-stop action and devasting heart-break that will leave you feeling bummed out for days (especially if you are an addicted and slightly obsessive fan such as myself). Once again, the characters are written perfectly, and with so much emotion that you feel it yourself at times, wanting to comfort the character in empathy or join them whilst they prepare to destroy everything in anger for the things they hold most dear.

I admit I had slight difficulties breaking into this book, but I am basing it down to the fact I had read the two previous books around a year before, meaning I was slow to remember facts and plots that led into the beginning of Allegiant. I highly suggest re-reading Divergent and Insurgent again before starting this book, or at least a scan through of the plots on Wikipedia to refresh your memory. 

However, I can safely say that without a doubt, Allegiant is an incredible end to an incredible series. Love, loss, and desperation are the main themes that will break your heart and tamper with your emotions as you reach the devasting conclusion of a remarkable final installment to what has been a breath-taking trilogy.

Philomena

Philomena

Format: Film

Stars: Judi Dench, Steve Coogan

Director: Stephen Frears

Released: November 1, 2013

Certificate: 12

Running time: 98 minutes

My rating:  ★★★★★

"Falling pregnant as a teenager in Ireland in 1952, Philomena (Judi Dench) was sent to the convent of Roscrea to be looked after as a "fallen woman". When her baby was only a toddler, he was taken away by the nuns for adoption in America. Philomena spent the next fifty years searching for him but with no success. Then she met Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan), a world-weary political journalist who happened to be intrigued by her story. Together they set off to America on a journey that will discover the truth behind Philomena's son." (Extract taken from amazon.co.uk)

My mum has been waiting to see this film for a while, so when my local cinema started to show it again before its DVD release I was dragged along to watch too. I had seen and heard rumours and comments made about this film previously, along with watching it snatch up the Best Adapted Screenplay award at the recent BAFTAs, so I had high hopes for this film and thankfully it did not disappoint.

Based on true events, Steve Coogan has done a wonderful job of co-adapting this tale into a magnificent story, with injections of humour throughout that are uplifting among the theme of loss and tragedy but do not take it away completely. Judi Dench provides an incredible performance in the title role that truly makes you emphasise and feel for Philomena, and constantly takes you back to remember the harsh reality that young mothers went through at that time.

Overall, I am extremely impressed with this film. Dench and Coogan are magnificent, and the story is incredibly moving - filled with tragedy and heartbreak, but the hope that there is light even in the darkest of times. This film has proved suprisingly enlightening and inspiring, and I have no doubt it is a tale that will stay with me for a while.